10 festive Lunar New Year events to check out around Vancouver | Daily Hive

Lunar New Year Parade (Sergei Bachlakov/Shutterstock)

Gong xi fa cai! The Year of the Snake kicks off on January 29, and there are many fun Lunar New Year events happening around Vancouver to celebrate before, during, and after.

From festive markets to a Spring Festival Parade, storytelling and afternoon teas, and more, here are 10 fun events to check out this year. Don’t forget the lucky red envelopes!

And for more fun things happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.

Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration and Parade

Lunar Year Parade (@scootercooks/Instagram)

What: The 51st Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration is happening on Sunday, February 2, 2025, the fifth day of the Year of the Snake.

The popular event is expected to draw over 5,000 participants and more than 100,000 spectators to the neighbourhood, with family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and more for everyone to enjoy.

When: February 2, 2025
Time: 11 am (parade start), 2 to 4 pm (fair)
Where: Various locations throughout Chinatown
Cost: Free for parade and fair

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Silk Road Music: Lunar New Year Celebration

What: Silk Road Music blends the historic traditions of Asian and non-Asian music for a Lunar New Year celebration at Gateway Theatre on February 1.

The celebratory concert will showcase why Silk Road Music has won two Best World Music awards from the West Coast Music Awards, been featured on BBC International Recital, and spotlighted at festivals all over North America.

When: February 1, 2025
Time: 2 pm
Where: Gateway Theatre — 6500 Gilbert Road, Vancouver
Tickets: $25, purchase online

Taste of Chinatown

What: Taste of Chinatown! festival has returned to Vancouver with an exciting lineup of food collaborations, culinary pop-ups, and more.

From now until February 2, foodies can head to Foo Hung Curios at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre for specialty products and Lunar New Year collaborations such as Justine Crawfart’s Floral Snake and Artbedo’s Bao Lion Dancing collections.

When: Now until February 2, 2025
Where: Foo Hung Curios — 168 East Pender Street, Vancouver

Lunar New Year Family Celebration

What: Coquitlam Heritage is hosting Lunar New Year celebrations, with festivities including traditional dance demos led by instructor Jessica Yue and a cooking demonstration of traditional snacks. Guests will even have the opportunity to try the treats.

Yuto Books will present story time sessions throughout the day in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, and there will also be crafts and art activities. Make sure to take a Lunar New Year photo at the photoshoot station on site.

When: January 18, 2025
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: Coquitlam Heritage at Mackin House – 1116 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Cost: Free

Lunar New Year Market at UBC Botanical Garden

UBC Kung Fu Club/Facebook

What: UBC Botanical Garden is hosting its third Lunar New Year Market on January 25 and 26, with an artisan market, live entertainment, and more to enjoy.

Visitors of the Lunar New Year Market will meet local makers, artists, crafters, and food trucks showcasing a variety of goods. Attendees can also enjoy a photo booth, take in lion dances and a kung fu performance by the UBC Kung Fu Club, and participate in workshops throughout the weekend.

Tickets to the Lunar New Year market include admission to the Asian Garden.

When: January 25 and 26, 2025
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: UBC Botanical Garden – 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: $8.88 after tax and fees, free for children eight and under. Purchase online

Chinatown Cocktail Showdown

What: Join the second annual Chinatown cocktail showdown where eight of Chinatown’s finest bars and restaurants (Bagheera, Bao Bei, Brasserie, The Chickadee Room, Fiorino, The Keefer Bar, Kissa Tanto, Laowai, and Meo) go head-to-head to craft the best Lunar New Year-inspired cocktail.

When: January 31, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Chinatown Storytelling Centre — 168 E Pender Street, Vancouver
Cost: $73.75

Vancouver Canucks Lunar New Year Game

What: Vancouver Canucks host their annual Lunar New Year Game on January 21 when the Buffalo Sabres come to town. There will be a variety of special Lunar New Year activities to enjoy during the celebration.

When: January 21, 2025
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online

Lunar New Year at Museum of Surrey

What: The Museum of Surrey, in partnership with the Chinese Village Club, hosts a free Lunar New Year event on February 8. Check out several live performances, including dragon dance teaching, poetry, dance, tai chi, storytelling and more. Guests will also learn about the history of Lunar New Year as well as Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures.

When: February 8, 2025
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Where: Museum of Surrey – 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey
Admission: Free

The Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea at Notch8

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

What: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver invites you to its Lunar New Year-themed Afternoon Tea at Notch8. Guests will enjoy a curated lineup of teas paired with sweet and savoury treats. There is also a Children’s Tea available, which includes finger sandwiches, scones, cookies, and other tasty foods.

When: Now until February 23, 2025
Time: Various seatings
Where: Notch8 Restaurant & Bar – 900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver (Fairmont Hotel Vancouver)
Cost: $72 per adult, $40 per child (ages 12 and under); make a reservation

LunarFest 2025 – Year of the Snake

What: LunarFest brings cultures and traditions together in a variety of events in January and February. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with performances, artist talks, film screenings and activities around Vancouver.

Make sure to also visit The Lantern City, returning to šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, Pendulum Gallery, and Granville Island, 800 Robson Street, and Bentall Centre.

When: Various dates in January and February 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Admission: Free

Lunar New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

What: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is hosting Year of the Snake celebrations on February 2, with Lion Dances, cultural street cuisine, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and more. The garden will also be decorated with plenty of red lanterns for the perfect Lunar New Year photo.

When: February 2, 2025
Time: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden — 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $6-$8 plus fees, free for children four and under. Purchase online

Lunar New Year Dinners

What: Ring in the Year of the Snake with an exclusive dining experience honouring Lunar New Year’s rich traditions while supporting a vital local cause. Heritage Restaurant and Bar is hosting two fundraising dinners in partnership with celebrated chefs Will Lew of Pacific Reach and Sharon Chan of MAMAintheKitchen. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Vancouver’s historic Chinatown.

Highlights from the meal include signature dishes such as Salted Egg Yolk Crusted Pork Belly appetizer with crab salad, Heritage’s handmade noodles for longevity — and signature BBQ chicken, which symbolizes unity.

When: January 19 and 20, 2025
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Heritage Asian Eatery — 4242 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: $98 per person